1. How can one protect innovative theatrical experiences?

In order to qualify for copyright protection, your theatrical work needs to be original and in a fixed or permanent form. You work is considered original if you use your own skill, labour, judgement and effort to create it. So for example, when you create an original script it becomes protected by copyright once it is written down. If you are using improvisation, you might need to film or record the performance.

2. Can music be remixed or edited for a performance?

Creating your own version of someone else’s work, including editing or remixing, is referred to as a derivative work. Unless you benefit from one of the copyright exceptions mentioned above or the materials you want to edit are in the public domain, you need to seek permission from the copyright owner first in order to avoid infringement claims.

According to UK Copyright Law, using another’s song is copyright infringement when ‘the work as a whole or any substantial part of it’ has been copied. Unfortunately, it is not easy to state the exact meaning of these notions, as they are defined on a case-by-case basis. Usually the court focuses on the quality of the parts taken, not necessarily the amount, and the circumstances of each case. You can find more information about using someone else’s work here.

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